Minneapolis expands Safe Station recovery support with second location in Seward

“I came here in a bad way. Going through things that were like, actually, I have experienced an overdose to where I was about to be pronounced dead.”
Jeffrey Bost knows all too well the struggles with addiction. He credits the Minnesota Addiction Recovery Initiative (MARI) Safe Station, located at Minneapolis Fire Station 14, for helping him start his path to recovery. This pilot program offers community members like Jeffrey recovery resources.
After choosing to seek help, Jeffrey received support from firefighters and guidance from recovery coaches at the Safe Station that  he says changed his life.
Over the past two years, the Safe Station pilot at Fire Station 14 (2002 Lowry Ave. N.) has been an accessible, community-based resource for more than 7,500 people seeking help.
Following its success, the city has launched the second Safe Station at Fire Station 7 (2000 Franklin Ave. E.). Serving the Cedar-Riverside, Ventura Village, and Seward neighborhoods, it’s one of the department’s busiest stations for overdose and other addiction-related calls. With nearly 500 overdose calls in 2024, expanding the program to this area was a priority, bringing hope and assistance to community members in South Minneapolis.
The Safe Station program is a partnership between the Minneapolis Fire Department and the Twin Cities Recovery Project (TCRP). The goal is to increase access to recovery assistance in communities where it is needed most.
A Safe Station provides:
• Peer support from TCRP
• Treatment referrals
• A comprehensive assessment
• Housing referrals

“From the very start, we have tried to integrate public safety and a community-based peer recovery model to provide immediate assistance and easy access to the community,” said Deputy Fire Chief Amber Lage, Minneapolis Fire Department.
Anyone who needs help can walk up to Fire Stations 7 or 14 and ask for it. No appointment, cost or judgement.
• Open 24/7
• Firefighters greet anyone who walks in for help and connect them to a Peer Recovery Coach from TCRP.
• If one is not on-site, firefighters will keep everyone comfortable until a coach arrives.
• The Peer Recovery Coach will meet privately with the person to share the resources, support available and next steps